{"id":11532,"date":"2026-06-18T16:24:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T13:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/?p=11532"},"modified":"2026-06-18T16:24:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T13:24:00","slug":"dimitris-markopoulos-a-holistic-approach-to-tax-relief-and-benefits-at-the-thessaloniki-international-trade-fair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/?p=11532","title":{"rendered":"Dimitris Markopoulos: A Holistic Approach to Tax Relief and Benefits at the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Deputy Minister of Finance<\/b>,\u00a0Dimitris Markopoulos<\/strong>, speaking on ERTnews Radio 105.8.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is clear that Greece is heading to Brussels with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, putting all of Greece\u2019s demands on the table<\/b>. Let\u2019s say that this is a program which, in the context of the global situation\u2014as we see developments in the Middle East and Ukraine\u2014addresses a series of fundamental functions and key issues, a discussion at the leadership level, which will take place regarding the new negotiating framework\u2014and, moreover, during the Cypriot presidency. This is significant.<\/p>\n

We have\u2014and are entitled to, given the very strong performance of our economy\u2014set ambitious goals<\/b>, of course in line with a European budget and specific budgetary targets. In any case, protecting cohesion funds for agricultural policy remains a priority for our country, and ensuring competitiveness\u2014this is extremely important, because we are an economy that has lost competitiveness in recent years and during the crises, and we must always close the gaps. At the same time, and based on the positive experience of the Recovery Fund, it is logical that we have argued that common European funding is needed for investments in common European goods, energy, and defense<\/b>.<\/p>\n

We face new challenges as Europe<\/b>. It is a given that these challenges affect Greece, perhaps more so than other countries. This is because Greece\u2014and the Balkans more broadly\u2014face unique circumstances even in the energy crisis. Therefore, there must be a shift in focus and a commitment to these areas, but also obviously, we know that defense spending in Greece has always been high, costs that other countries did not have and now recognize due to the complex context<\/b>\u201d said Mr. Markopoulos<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must understand that \u2018the free ride is over\u2019\u2014we\u2019re moving toward what\u2019s feasible, without risks but with some relief measures\u201d<\/h3>\n

When asked what the economic team is preparing for the TIF<\/b> package, Mr. Markopoulos<\/b>, noting that it is still too early for announcements, he pointed out, however, that consultations have already begun, not only within the internal team and among the relevant ministers<\/b>, but also regarding the overall direction of the Maximos Mansion as well as with social partners<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, things are moving forward; this is a negotiation with depth. However, I believe that certain things needed to be made clear and should be clarified to avoid any distortions<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Quite rightly, then, the Prime Minister has outlined the situation in recent days, as has the Minister of Finance<\/b>. This\u2014the \u201cget-rich-quick\u201d scheme is dead\u2014is something we need to understand, because unfortunately, as an economy, we have a long history of mistakes<\/b>, a long history of what I call economic populism<\/b>, which ultimately leads us in the wrong direction. We must therefore tell citizens that we can do the best we can, what is feasible.<\/p>\n

Last year we provided an exceptionally large and generous package, which was recognized<\/b>. It is no coincidence that New Democracy, despite so many successive international crises, remains steady in the polls and is rising compared to last year. We provided 1.7 billion euros. \u201cSo here, we will seek to avoid taking risks, to avoid deficits, and to provide relief to citizens<\/b>,\u201d explained Mr. Markopoulos<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Regarding figures that have already been released, concerning one billion in available fiscal space that could be directed toward tax cuts<\/b>, when asked which tax exemptions are being considered and how discussions with social partners are progressing so that the proposals can be turned into measures to be announced by the Prime Minister at the Thessaloniki International Fair, the Deputy Minister of Finance said the following:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve already been meeting with them since Friday; my door is open<\/b>. I follow an open-door policy and have met with\u2014and will continue to meet with\u2014other social partners. It\u2019s just that the new bill has been introduced in recent days, which outlines a series of measures that we consider to be very positive, measures, and that is why our meetings with these organizations will continue starting Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Now, as for the need to further reduce taxes, the trend is clear. We have shown the way forward<\/b>. Increasing citizens\u2019 income and reducing taxes<\/b>. Obviously, I\u2019d also like to contribute my own touch, together with the economic team and our minister, Mr. Pierrakakis, toward further tax cuts\u2014that is, so that we can go beyond the 83 measures already in place to reduce taxes and social security contributions. And who wouldn\u2019t want that added? All of this will be examined<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Responding to criticism that the government has forgotten the middle class<\/b>, Mr. Markopoulos <\/b>expressed his disagreement and said, \u201cFor example, the fact that right now, with the bill we\u2019re introducing today\u2014which we\u2019re debating today in Parliament \u20141,000,000 families will receive 150 euros per child, aren\u2019t they middle class? <\/b> Second, the fact that we\u2019re providing civil servants who will be assigned to the provinces with housing allowances <\/b>so they can cope with the cost of living and find homes to live in\u2014 that\u2019s what the middle class is. Obviously, you\u2019re referring to the presumptive tax system and the self-employed. (\u2026)<\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t the fact that 83 taxes have been reduced a policy in favor of the middle class? <\/b>The fact that we\u2019ve taken measures\u2014do you recall a series of them, for example, regarding pensioners and the personal allowance\u2014doesn\u2019t this apply to pensioners, who are also part of the middle class? It doesn\u2019t mean that retirees are destitute.<\/p>\n

But let me tell you, since I saw that you questioned our policy toward the middle class, I\u2019ll remind you that while many pensioners belong to the middle class, and there are obviously lower socioeconomic strata as well, the fact that pensions have increased by an average of 16% since 2023 represents concrete action. I\u2019m not saying that this solves all the problems. Far from it. I\u2019m not saying we have a magic wand, but we\u2019re seeing a trend\u2026 six minimum wage increases<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 13th pension costs 2.5 billion euros \u2014 We\u2019re talking about what\u2019s feasible and about relief measures with a holistic approach\u201d<\/h3>\n

Regarding the tax exemptions <\/b>which, according to reports , the government is considering<\/b>, the available fiscal space, and where these will be targeted, when asked if there is already a clear picture, he replied that \u201cFirst of all, regarding the amount, there is currently an estimate, but there is also a sense of optimism, and I\u2019ll keep that in mind<\/b>.<\/p>\n

I believe things can move forward; the trend is positive<\/b>. And you know, since some people think it\u2019s all about taxes, let\u2019s say that growth also comes from increased investment and from cracking down on tax evasion.<\/b> Some say that with indirect taxes, you\u2019ve destroyed society or the surpluses, because only 10% of the surpluses comes from indirect taxes, which we reinvest in social policy. My sense is that we will take a holistic approach to tax relief and benefits at the upcoming Thessaloniki International Fair<\/b>.<\/p>\n

There are social groups or policy areas that absolutely must be addressed<\/b>. And self-employed professionals<\/b> are also there, and there are clearly issues concerning Greek families<\/b> and private-sector employees<\/b> as well. There was a lengthy discussion, for example, and as you know, I made some statements on Monday. Of course, retirees<\/b> are a very important group, and in fact, starting on the 1st, there will be further increases for them as well. \u201cWe have 700 million euros linked to the trend of inflation and GDP<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regarding the issue of the 13th pension<\/b> raised by the opposition parties, Mr. Markopoulos <\/b>noted that this is something entirely different.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re talking about what\u2019s feasible. A 13th pension<\/b>, not as SYRIZA described it\u2014with amounts of 400 and 500 euros that they labeled a 13th pension\u2014 I mean a 13th pension that is calculated based on the actual pension amounts each citizen receives, which means that 2.5 billion euros would have to be allocated just for this.<\/b> What does this mean? How does it translate? It means that one social group<\/b>\u2014a very dear one, which we\u2019re already helping and will help even more\u2014 but no one else will get anything else.<\/b> Or if we also give to civil servants\u2014which was also a topic of discussion\u2014 the first pay raises for civil servants were given by us<\/b>. Others take, we give<\/b>,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n

As for when the expected announcements will be implemented<\/b>, and whether their effective date will be set\u2014as it is every year\u2014as of January 1, Mr. Markopoulos said \u201cthe direction will be determined in the near future. In any case, it is certain that through the dialogue, which has begun and will obviously culminate in the coming weeks, we will have a clear outline<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Deputy Finance Minister Dimitris Markopoulos expressed his optimism regarding the outcome of the European negotiations while speaking to ERTnews …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11533,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11532","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11532"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11532\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11533"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11532"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11532"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.tomanifesto.gr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}